Tooth loss can be a devastating occurrence. It can not only have a terrible effect on your smile but, if left untreated, it can also have tremendous and long-lasting consequences for your oral health. Your remaining teeth can begin to shift and wear down due to uneven distribution of pressure from your bite, possibly leading to even more tooth loss and devastation. It’s urgent for you to contact your dentist immediately. Your dentist can provide you with options for treating tooth loss.
If you’ve lost a single tooth, you may want to consider a dental implant. A dental implant simulates the supportive root structure of your lost tooth by placing a titanium post into your jawbone. Titanium is biocompatible and has the ability to fuse with your jaw as it heals. A lifelike crown is then shaped and placed on top of the post, handily replacing the form and function of your lost tooth.
For moderate tooth loss, dental bridges are a great option to consider. Your dentist reshapes the remaining teeth on both ends of the gap left from your missing teeth. These reshaped teeth (abutment teeth) are then fitted with dental crowns that act as anchors for the replacement teeth that will fill the gap, known as pontics.
For moderate to severe tooth loss, your dentist may recommend dentures. Utilizing the All-On-4 system created by Noble Biocare, your dentist uses four dental implants to stabilize a full denture, granting you a healthy functioning and natural looking smile with as little surgery as possible.